Valve for pressurized container

ABSTRACT

A valve for pressurized containers with a closing member which is movable toward a valve seat and engages thereon in a rest position or closing position is proposed. The valve includes a bushing which is fixedly inserted into the container and partly surrounds a sliding sleeve which at its upper end is provided with the valve seat and includes at its lower inner end a plurality of recesses. Connected to the bushing are a plurality of arms wherein each of the arms is guided through a respective one of the recesses. A rod which is disposed centrically and slidable within the bushing and the sliding sleeve and which on its upper end is provided with the closure member is in connection at its lower end with each of the arms so that upon downward movement of the sliding sleeve the arms are moved radially outwardly and the valve is opened. Since the bushing has a certain elasticity and an elastic return force, the valve is closed when no pressure is exerted on the sliding sleeve so that the bushing is moving the arms in its original position and closes the valve again.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a valve for pressurized containers, likeaerosol containers with a closing member which is movable towards avalve seat and engages thereon in its rest position or locking position.

It is known to fill paste and liquids together with a gas likepropelling means into containers. Thereby, containers are known whereinthe product together with the propelling means are charged into onechamber. When opening the valve, the product is discharged under theinfluence of the propellant and is propelled therewith as a spray, orthe like. Furthermore, containers are known, wherein the product and thepropellant are separated from each other. Such containers have anelastic inner bag for receiving the product. In such a container, thegas like propellant is disposed in the annular like space between theinner bag and the container. In these containers, the elastic inner bagis closed to the outside by a valve. When opening the valve, thepropellant can expand and press the inner bag together, thus driving theproduct therefrom. The same valves are used for both container types.They will be opened either by pressure or the sliding displacementmovement of a part. Furthermore, they have a special spring or a springelement made of metal, rubber or an elastic plastic material whichpresses the closing member on the valve seat in the closing position.The push for opening the valve is carried out by pushing against thisspring element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the subject invention to provide a valve of this typewhich is opened by pushing, but which does not require a special springelement. In this context it should be mentioned that the individualparts of a valve of the type in question are usually made with theextrusion molding method from plastic material with differentelasticity. By omitting a spring element, not only a structural elementis eliminated but also its manufacturing and assembly, but there is alsothe possibility to operate without any metal or a special selectedplastic material which has the required yielding characteristics. Theelimination of such plastic material and, in particular metal isadvantageous in products which should not come into contact with metal,because it would change their characteristics.

The physical principle on which the inventive solution to the object ofthe invention is based, will now be explained with respect to FIGS. 1and 2. During a pivoting from the position A-C shown in full lines intothe position A-E shown in dash-dot lines, the points B and C havetravelled different paths. The path B-D is shorter than the path C-E.These differently long paths are illustrated by the arrows. It has to beassumed that the part F is a valve closing member which engages on itsvalve seat G. The valve seat G would be connected with the part H.Within this meaning it is further assumed that the valve closing memberF is connected with the point C and the valve seat G with the point B ofthe assumed lever A-C. When pivoting this lever into the position A-Ethe member F has moved downwardly by the larger path C-E and valve seatG by the shorter path B-D. This results in the picture shown in FIG. 2.The valve seat locking member F is no longer in engagement with valveseat G. The valve is open. In a constructive realization of thesetheoretical considerations the valve would open or close due to thedifferent speeds of its locking member and its valve seat. Thereby, forthe moment it is to be assumed that B and C do not move in a circularpath around A, but that they can perform the linear movements B-D andC-E.

The constructive realization in a valve of the aforementioned type, inview of the just mentioned idea, is realized by using the followingfeatures:

(a) a bushing fixedly insertable into the container,

(b) a sliding sleeve is slideably guided therein which at its upper endis provided with the valve seat and at its lower inner end withrecesses,

(c) arms which are connected with a bushing through joints and whichextend radially therefrom and are guided to the inside through recesses,

(d) a rod is disposed centrically and slidably within the bushing andthe sliding sleeve which on its upper end is provided with the closingmember and is connected with its lower end with the inner radial ends ofthe arms, whereby the joints and the adjacent areas of the bushing areelastic in such a manner that the displacement of the arms in a radiallyoutward direction which displacement is produced by a downward movementof the the sliding sleeve in a direction radially outwardly isreversible.

The inventive sliding sleeve valve represents the part H with seat G.The arms form the lever A-C. The rod corresponds to the part whichsupports the closing member F. The bushing which is fixedly insertableinto the container forms the rotating point A or a plurality of rotatingpoints A, if a plurality of arms are used.

The arms which are disposed in their recesses are moved during thedownward movement of the sliding sleeve or when pushing the slidingsleeve into the valve. They perform a pivot movement around their jointat the bushing. Thereby, they are moving the rod with the closingmember. In accordance with the aforementioned explanations with respectto FIG. 1, the rod now travels a longer path than the sliding sleeve andthe valve opens. Since the rod and the sliding sleeve perform linearmovements are not a circular movement around A or the joint of the armson the bushing, the joint must deflect radially. Such a movement ispresent. It is the result of the elasticity of the plastic materialwhich forms the bushing. Therefore, the elasticity of the bushingreplaces the spring or the spring element of the known valves. Due toits elasticity, the bushing assumes its original position again, afterreleasing the sliding sleeve. Its radially deflected area retracts againand thereby pushes the sliding sleeve and the rod back into theiroriginal position. Thereby, the closing member again engages the valveseat and the valve is closed.

Therefore, the inventive valve operates without a special springelement. The plastic material which forms the bushing must be merely soadjusted that it contains the desired elasticity and spring force.

It is recommended that the arms encompass an acute angle with thebushing in their rest position, and that the elastic return force of thebushing material is so large that it returns to its rest position, aftera radially outward movement. The so-called acute angle between the armsand the bushing provides that the bushing moves the arms during itsradial inward movement, in the plan view of FIGS. 1 and 2, upwardly orin closing position of the closing member. Thereby, the valve returns byitself to its closing position after an opening, as required.

In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the bushing togetherwith the joints and the arms are designed as a unitary part (molded),whereby the joints with the arms are tip stretched on the lower end ofthe bushing. Generally, one would use four arms. However, it is alsofeasable to use three, five or any number of arms.

For connecting the rod with the arms, a particular advantageousembodiment provides that the rod is provided with an annular recess atits lower end, that the arms are provided with shoulders at their innerends or annular rings which are pressed into the recess.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the recesses in the slidingsleeve are provided in the lower open end thereof, that ribs extend fromthis end from a side to about half into the recesses, and that they areprovided at their free ends with arresting protrusions in such a mannerthat the arms which are guided through the recesses, are supported onribs and are clamped therebetween and a lateral upper limit of therecesses and an arresting protrusion. In the practice, this means thatone mounts the sliding sleeve with its recesses onto the arms whichextend from the bushing, pushes it down to a certain extent and thenturns it.

It had been stated that the sliding sleeve is pushed for opening thevalve. An advantageous embodiment provides for this purpose that thesliding sleeve protrudes from the bushing and that at the protrudingportion a gripping edge is provided at a distance above the upper edgeof the bushing, that this gripping edge overlies the container lid,whereby this gripping edge limits to the maximum stroke of the rod.Thereby, the gripping edge is a handle for pushing down the slidingsleeve and also an abutment for limiting the stroke.

In a further embodiment extensions are provided on the arms and theupper faces of the recesses are so shaped that they form pivot supportstogether with the engaging extensions. This reduces the opening forceand prevents a possible jamming.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the bushing encompasses theslide sleeve at such a tight distance that it constitutes a guidetherefor, that a groove is provided on the inner wall of the bushing,and a sealing ring is retained therein engaging a sliding sleeve. In analternative embodiment a sealing lip is tip stretched on the outer wallof the sliding sleeve at the area encompassed by the bushing whichengages therewith.

Instead of a connection between arms and rods, wherein the arms engageon the rod, an alternative embodiment provides that the rod isintegrally connected with arms by means of material reduced joints. Inthis embodiment, the valve closing member is a separate structuralelement which is pushed onto the rod and is connected therewith by agroove and bead joint.

The invention further provides that the faces of the valve seat and thevalve closing member which are in engagement with each other in theclosing or resting position are conically shaped, whereby the taper isselectively differently chosen, so that a linear outer axial engagementis provided.

For supporting the radially inwardly active return force of the bushingit is provided that an elastic set ring engages on the bushing in thearea of the elastic radial expansion.

The invention also provides the possibility to mount the unitary valveunit simply onto a container, an aerosol container, a bottle, or thelike and to connect it with such a container, or the like. In detail, itis provided that the bushing is disposed concentrically and with aradial distance within a sleeve unitarily connected therewith, and thatit is mountable in a pressure tight manner onto a container, or thelike. Thereby, the bushing may be provided with a thread for screwcapping, a snap lock for mounting or any other closing or arrestingmeans for connection with the container, the can, the bottle, or thelike.

The novel features which are considered characteristic for the inventionare set forth in particular in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is the already explained plan view of the physical principlewhich is the basis of the invention,

FIG. 2 is also an already explained view similar to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in a section, of one embodiment of theinventive valve,

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in a section, of a second embodiment ofthe inventive valve,

FIG. 5 is the plan view of the sliding sleeve valve of the secondembodiment,

FIG. 6 is the plan view of the bushing of the second embodiment and

FIG. 7 is a side view in section of a snap lock for mounting the presentinvention on a container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3 shows the sliding sleeve 12 with the gripping edge 14 and theseat 16. Four recesses 18 are provided in the lower end of the slidingsleeve 12. Although, FIG. 5 shows the sliding sleeve 12 of thealternative embodiment in accordance with FIG. 4, the recesses 18 areidentical in both embodiments. Therefore, with respect to the recesses18, it can be referred back to FIG. 5. In the downward extension therecesses 18 are partially limited by the ribs 20. The upper faces of therecesses 18 form the pressure edges 22. The bushing 24 encompasses thesliding sleeve 12. In a manner, which is of no interest here, it isfixedly mounted with the container, the aerosol container, a bottle orthe like, and is connected therewith. A sealing ring 26 is disposed in agroove or recess of the bushing 24. It engages the sliding sleevebushing 12. It seals the inner chamber of the container, or the like, tothe outside. In addition, it guides the sliding sleeve 12 into thebushing 24, during its inward movement. The bushing 24 is also providedwith a radially extending shoulder 28. This shoulder forms an edge 30.This shoulder engages on a radial indentation of the lid of thecontainer, the can, or the like. The joints 34 and the arms 36 extendingtherefrom are tip stretched onto the bushing 24 or are molded thereon.The joints 34 are formed by material reductions. The arms 36 areprovided with shoulders 38 on their inner radial ends, or they areconnected into a ring 38. The rod 40 together with the valve sealingmember 42 and the sealing face 44 are centrically disposed withinsliding sleeve 12. At its lower end it is provided with an indentation46. The shoulders 38 or the ring 38 are pushed into this indentation.FIG. 3 also shows the set ring 48 which can be selectively used.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 3only in the structural details. The bushing 24 is combined into oneunitary structural element with a sleeve 50 which encompasses thebushing. The sleeve 50 has an inner thread 52. With this thread it isscrewed onto the neck 54 of a bottle, or the like, which is alsoprovided with a thread. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3 the arms36 are provided with extensions 56. These are engaging the complimentaryshaped upper surfaces of recesses 18. Thereby, pivot supports aregenerated for the pivot movement of arms 36. A sealing lip 60 is tipstretched on the outer side of the sliding sleeve 12. It serves to guidethe sliding sleeve 12 in bushing 24 in the same manner as sealing ring26. The rod 40 is connected in one unit with arms 36 and thereby withbushing 24, which is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3. Materialreductions are disposed between the rod 40 and the arms 36 formingjoints 62. However, in this case the valve closing member 42 is aseparate structural element. It is pushed onto the rod 40 and isconnected therewith by means of a groove and bead joint 64. FIGS. 4 and5 show the arresting extensions 68 on the ends of ribs 20.

After this detailed description of the two embodiments, the mode ofoperation will now be described:

The valve, be it in the embodiment of FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, is mounted on acontainer, an aerosol can, or the like. The space within the slidingsleeve 12 is under the pressure of the propellant through theintermediary space between the four arms 36. The gripper edge 14 ispushed for opening the valve. This downward movement is stopped at leastwhen the lower side engages the upper side of the can lid 32 or thesleeve 50. During the downward movement of the sliding sleeve 12 thepressure edges 22 at the upper sides of the recesses 18 push against thearms 36 or the extensions 56, respectively. Thereby, the lower area ofthe bushing 24 is moved radially to the outside. In FIG. 4, this isshown on the left side in dash-dot lines. Thereby, the arms also performa movement. This movement is composed of two components. The onecomponent is a linear downward movement. The second movement is a pivotmovement. In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3, the center ofthis pivot movement is in the joints 34 and in the embodiment inaccordance with FIG. 4 in the pivot supports between the pressure edges22 and the extensions 56. The rod 40 follows the first movementcomponent and moves downwardly. Thereby, the valve closing member 42moves away from the valve seat 16. The valve opens. The theoretic endposition of this movement is shown in the left lower portion of FIG. 4.In dash dot lines an arm 36 is shown in a horizontal position. This isthe position of an arm 36 at a full opening of the valve. A comparingview to FIGS. 1 and 2 shows that the valve closing member 42 has beenmoved further downwardly than the valve seat 16 during this movementprocess, so that the valve opens.

After the valve remained open for the desired time period, the grippingedge 14 is released. The elasticity and the return force of the bushing24 becomes active. In its lower area it retracts radially and assumesits position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Since the arm 36 encompass an acuteangle therewith in the maximum open position, the arms pivot during thismovement in such a manner that the rod 40 is moved upwardly and thevalve closing member 42 is moved into the closing position. This radialinward movement of the lower area of the bushing 24 is aided by the setring 48, if the same is present.

I claim:
 1. A valve for pressurized dispensing containers, with aclosing member which is movable towards a valve seat and engages thereonin its rest position or closing position, characterized by(a) a bushing(24) fixedly insertable into the container, (b) a sliding sleeve (12)slidably guided in the bushing which at its upper end is provided withthe valve seat (16) and at its lower inner end with recesses (18), (c) aplurality of arms (36) each being connected with the bushing (24)through respective joints (34) and extending radially therefrom andbeing guided to the inside through one of the recesses (18), and (d) arod (40) disposed centrically and slidable within the bushing (24) andthe sliding sleeve (12) and which on its upper end is provided with theclosing member (42) and is connected at its lower end with the innerradial end of the arms (36), wherein the joints (34) and the adjacentareas of the bushing (24) are elastic in such a manner that thedisplacement of the outer ends of the arms (36) in a radially outwardlydirection, which displacement is produced by a downward movement of thesliding sleeve sleeve (12), is reversible.
 2. A valve in accordance withclaim 1, characterized in that the arms (36) encompass an acute angle intheir rest position with the bushing (24), and that the elastic returnforce of the material of the bushing (24) is so large that it returnsthe bushing into its rest position, after a radially outward movement.3. A valve in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the bushing(24) together with the joints (34) and the arms (36) is a unitary part,wherein the joints (34) together with the arms (36) are formed on thelower end of the bushing (24).
 4. A valve in accordance with claim 1characterized in that the rod (40) is provided with an annularindentation (46) at its lower end, that the arms (36) are provided withshoulders (38) at their inner ends, and that the shoulders are pushedinto the indentation (46).
 5. A valve in accordance with claim 1characterized in that the recesses (8) in the sliding sleeve (12) areprovided in the lower open end thereof, that ribs (20) extend from thisend from one side to about half into the recesses (18), and that theribs are provided at their free ends with arresting protrusions (68) insuch a manner that the arms (36) which are guided through the recesses(18) are supported on the ribs (20) and are clamped therebetween and alateral end and an upper limit of the respective recess (18) and anarresting protrusion (68).
 6. A valve in accordance with claim 1,characterized in that the sliding sleeve (12) protrudes from the bushing(24) to define a protruding portion and that at the protruding portion agripping edge (14) is provided at a distance above the upper edge of thebushing (24) or the container lid (32) retaining the bushing, whereinthis distance corresponds to the maximum stroke of the rod (40).
 7. Avalve in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each rm (36) hasan upper face provided with at least one extension (56) and that therecesses (18) are associated to form pivot supports together with theengaging extensions (56).
 8. A valve in accordance with claim 1,characterized in that the bushing (24) encompasses the slide sleeve (12)at such a tight distance that it constitutes a guide therefor, that theinner wall of the bushing (24) is provided with a groove in which asealing ring (26) is retained bearing on the sliding sleeve (12).
 9. Avalve in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that on the outerwall of the sliding sleeve (12) a sealing lip (60) is formed in the areaencompassed by bushing (24) which sealingly abuts the inner surface ofthe bushing.
 10. A valve in accordance with claim 1, characterized inthat the rod (40) is integrally connected to the arms (36) by means ofjoints (62) formed by reduction in material.
 11. A valve in accordancewith claim 1, characterized in that the valve closing member (42) ispushed onto the rod (40) and is connected therewith by a groove and beadjoint.
 12. A valve in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that thefaces of the valve seat (16) and the valve closing member (42) which arein engagement with each other in the closing or resting position areconically shaped, wherein the taper is selectively differentiallychosen, so that a linear engagement is provided axially on the outside.13. A valve in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that thebushing is circumscribed by an elastic set ring (48) in the area of theelastic radial expansion.
 14. A valve in accordance with claim 1,characterized in that the bushing (24) is disposed concentrically andradially spaced within a sleeve (50) integrally connected therewith, andthat it is mounted in a pressure tight manner onto a container, or thelike.
 15. A valve in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that thesleeve (50) is provided with a thread (52) for a container to be screwedthereon.
 16. A valve in accordance with claim 14, characterized in thatthe sleeve (50) has a snap lock for mounting on said container.